Movatterモバイル変換

[0]ホーム
URL:

Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Circumstances of Pregnancy: Low Income Women in Georgia Describe the Difference between Planned and Unplanned Pregnancies

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Maternal and Child Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction and Background: The United States has a higher rate of unintended pregnancies than many other developed countries despite the availability of effective contraception. Using Azjen's Theory of Planned Behavior and Luker's Theory of Contraceptive Risk Taking this qualitative study explores the reasons for the high rate of unintended pregnancy among low income women in Georgia.Methods: Six focus groups (N=39) were conducted at county health department clinics. Women were recruited at the clinics to participate in a discussion of Pregnancy and Motherhood. All English or Spanish speaking women between the ages of 18 and 49 were eligible for participation.Results: Three dimensions of pregnancy planning emerged-the decision to have a child, taking specific behaviors to increase the likelihood of conception, and making plans to care for a child. Planned pregnancies may occur when a couple or a woman decides that they are ready to have a child, but also occur in less stable situations that pose risks for the family and the child. Unplanned pregnancies may be welcomed or be unwanted depending on the circumstances. Women perceive advantages and disadvantages to planned and unplanned pregnancies.Discussion: There are major differences between the definition and values of planned and unplanned pregnancies promoted by public health practitioners and those of the women in our study. This suggests the need for research on the circumstances in which pregnancies occur, as well as targeted interventions and policies that help women and men define and achieve the circumstances in which they would like to bear and rear children.

This is a preview of subscription content,log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Japan)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Surgeon General Healthy People 2010 http://www.healthypeople. gov/Document/HTML/Volume1/09Family.htm.

  2. Colley-Gilbert B, et al. “PRAMS 1997 Surveillance Report.” Division of Reproductive Health: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1999.

  3. Abma J, et al. Fertility, Family Planning and Women’s Health: New Data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth. Vital Health Statistics. 1997;(19):1–114.

  4. National Survey of Family Growth. Vital and Health Statistics. 23(19). May 1997. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 1997.

  5. Azjen I. Attitudes, Personality, and Behavior. Bristol, UK: Open University Press; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Azjen I, Fishbein M. Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hogue C, Lifflander A. Circumstances of Pregnancy, unpublished data.

  8. Miller WB, Pasta DJ. Behavioral intentions: Which ones predict fertility behavior in married couples? J Appl Soc Psychol. 1995;25:530–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Luker K. Contraceptive risk taking and abortion: results and implications of a San Francisco Bay Area Study. Stud Fam Plan. 1977;(8):190–6.

  10. QSR N6. QSR International. Markham, Ontario, 2004.

  11. National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality. Troubling Trends: The Health of America’s Next Generation. Washington, DC: NCHM; 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hogue CJR, Vasquez C. Toward a strategic approach for reducing disparities in infant mortality. AJPH. 2002;92:552–6.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Delgado-Rodriguez M, et al. Unplanned pregnancy as a major determinant in inadequate use of prenatal care. Prev Med. 1997;26(6):834–8.

    Article PubMed CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rosenberg KD, Gelow JM, Sandoval AP. Pregnancy intendedness and the use of periconceptional folic acid. Pediatrics. 2003;111(5 Part 2):1142–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Institute of Medicine (IOM). In Brown S, Eisenberg L, Editors. The Best Intentions: Unintended Pregnancy and the Well-Being of Children and Families. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Gerber A, Pennylegion M, Spice C. If it Happens, It Happens, A Qualitative Study of Unintended Pregnancy among Low Income Women Living in King County., Retrieved 2002; 9–2-05 from http://www.metrokc.gov/health/famplan/pregnancy/uipreport.pdf.

  17. Luker K. A Reminder that human behavior frequently refuses to conform to models created by researchers. Fam Plann Perspect. 1999;31(5).

  18. Lee RK, Thompson VL, Mechanic MB. Intimate partner violence and women of color: a call for innovations.Am J Pub Health. 2002;92(4):530–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Koenig LJ, et al. Perinatal Guidelines Evaluation Project Group. Violence during pregnancy among women with or at risk for HIV infection.Am J Pub Health. 2002;92(3):367–70.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mayer L, Liebschutz J. Domestic violence in the pregnant patient: obstetric and behavioral interventions. Obstet GynecolSurv. 1998;53(10):627–35.

    Article PubMed CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Murphy C, et al. Abuse: a risk factor for low birth weight? A systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ Can Med Assoc J. 2001;164(11):1567–72.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Zimmer-Gembeck MJ, Helfand M. Low birth weight in a public prenatal care program: behavioral and psychosocial risk factors and psychosocial intervention. Soc Sci Med. 1996;43(2):187–97.

    Article PubMed CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Henshaw S. Unintended pregnancy in the United States. Fam Plann Perspect. 1998;30(1):24–29 and 46.

    Article PubMed CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Harris K, Campbell E. The plans in unplanned pregnancy: Secondary gain and the partnership. Br J Med Psychol. 1999;72:105–20.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Zotti M, Siegal E. Preventing unplanned pregnancies among married couples: are services for the wife sufficient? Res Nurs Health. 1995;(18):133–42.

  26. Woodsong C, Shedlin M, Koo H. The ’natural’ body, God and contraceptive use in the southeastern United States. Cult Health Sexu. 2004;6(1):61–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zabin LS. Ambivalent feelings about parenthood may lead to inconsistent contraceptive use and pregnancy. Fam Plann Perspect. 1999;31:250–1.

    Article PubMed CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Fischer RC, et al. Exploring the concepts of intended, planned, and wanted pregnancy. J Fam Pract. 1999;48(2):117–22.

    PubMed CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Moos MK, et al. Pregnant women’s perspectives on intendedness of pregnancy. Women’s Health Issues. 1997;7(6):385–92.

    Article PubMed CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Piccinino L, Peterson LS. Ambivalent attitudes and unintended pregnancy. In: Severy LJ, Miller WB, editors. Advances in population: Psychological perspectives, vol. 3. London: Jessica Kingsley, 1999; p. 227–49.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Gerrard M, et al. Emotional inhibition of effective contraception (Review). Anxiety, Stress & Coping. An Inter J. 1993;6:73–88.

    Google Scholar 

  32. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins. Neural Tube Defects, Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102(1):203–13.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Okah FA, Cai J, Hoff GL. Term-gestation low birth weight and health-compromising behaviors during pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;105(3):543–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This project was made possible in part by a grant from Pew Charitable Trusts. The authors would like to acknowledge Ms. Jacqueline Lewis and Ms. Carla Galindo, MPH for their roles in facilitating the focus groups and analyzing focus group data and Ms. Emily Kahn, MPH at the Georgia Department of Human Resources/Division of Public Health for being our project sponsor.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vera Institute of Justice, 233 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, 10279, NY, USA

    Anne Lifflander

  2. Women’s and Children’s Center, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, 1518 Clifton. Rd NE, Atlanta, 30322, Georgia, USA

    Laura M. D. Gaydos & Carol J. Rowland Hogue

Authors
  1. Anne Lifflander

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  2. Laura M. D. Gaydos

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carol J. Rowland Hogue

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence toAnne Lifflander.

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lifflander, A., Gaydos, L.M.D. & Hogue, C.J.R. Circumstances of Pregnancy: Low Income Women in Georgia Describe the Difference between Planned and Unplanned Pregnancies.Matern Child Health J11, 81–89 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-006-0138-3

Download citation

Keywords

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Japan)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Advertisement

[8]ページ先頭
©2009-2025 Movatter.jp